31.

Aeryn’s breath came in ragged bursts as she fled down the corridor, her cheeks flushed, and her heart pounding so loud she feared it would burst from her chest. Her pulse quickened with every step, each beat reverberating in her ears like a drum. She could still feel Alex’s kiss, the way his lips had claimed hers, the fire in his touch leaving her trembling and flushed with desire. Her mind raced, thoughts colliding in a storm of confusion and yearning. She hated how much she craved his touch, how badly her body had responded to him despite the anger and resentment she harbored.

She shook her head, trying to clear the image of him from her mind, but it was no use. His presence lingered, intoxicating and undeniable. Every fiber of her being seemed to remember the warmth of his hands, the hunger in his eyes, and the way he made her lose control.

*Why am I feeling like this?* she wondered, her steps faltering as she neared her chamber. Aeryn paused at the door, her hand trembling as she reached for the handle. Her fingers brushed against the cool metal, and she bit her lip, trying to calm the erratic beating of her heart.

She had to pull herself together. This wasn’t right. Alex was dangerous, and his kingdom had used her as nothing more than a tool, a pawn in their political games. She couldn’t allow herself to be swayed by fleeting emotions or physical attraction.

But as she opened the door and stepped into the room, the warmth from his kiss still lingered on her lips, making it impossible to forget. Her mind was clouded, her thoughts racing back to him with every beat of her heart. She had never felt anything like this before—this all-consuming need, this deep yearning that gnawed at her from within. She wanted him in ways she couldn’t explain, and that terrified her.

Aeryn let out a shaky breath, closing the door behind her and leaning against it for support. She could feel the tension in her muscles, the conflicting emotions warring inside her. As much as she wanted to deny it, she was drawn to Alex—pulled to him like a moth to flame, despite the danger.

She pushed away from the door and walked toward the bed, her legs still unsteady. But before she could reach it, a strange sensation stopped her in her tracks. The air around her seemed to thicken, a cold chill creeping down her spine as the room grew darker. A soft, eerie hum filled the space, making her freeze in place.

Aeryn’s breath hitched as she turned, her heart lurching with fear. Her eyes widened as she watched in horror. A thick, inky black foam began to form in the center of the room, twisting and writhing like a living entity. It spread across the floor, swirling upward like smoke, and from the darkness emerged a figure—tall, cloaked in shadows, and wearing a mask that obscured his face.

Aeryn gasped, stumbling back in terror as the figure stepped toward her, the air around him crackling with dark energy. Her mind screamed at her to run, to scream for help, but her voice caught in her throat.

“W-What is this?” she stammered, her back hitting the wall as she pressed herself against it, eyes wide with panic.

The figure moved silently, his movements fluid and graceful as he closed the distance between them. His mask was haunting, devoid of expression, but his presence was filled with menace. He raised a gloved hand, and Aeryn flinched, expecting pain, but instead, his fingers brushed gently against her forehead.

His touch was cold, sending a shiver down her spine as he traced the outline of her face. The moment his fingers made contact with her skin, a wave of dizziness washed over her. Her vision blurred, and she swayed on her feet, her limbs growing heavy as if the very life was being drained from her.

“Sleep,” the figure’s voice rasped, low and haunting, barely more than a whisper.

Aeryn’s world tilted, her knees buckling as the strength drained from her body. She tried to fight it, to stay conscious, but the pull was too strong. Her vision darkened, and the last thing she saw was the masked figure leaning over her, his cold fingers still pressed against her forehead before everything went black.

---

When Aeryn awoke, her head throbbed with pain, and her body felt heavy and weak. She blinked groggily, her vision slowly coming into focus as she took in her surroundings. The room she found herself in was nothing like the royal chambers she had left behind.

It was dark, the air thick with the scent of damp stone and something metallic—blood, perhaps. Shadows danced along the walls, cast by flickering torches mounted in sconces. The stone walls were cold and unwelcoming, covered in dark, intricate tapestries depicting ancient battles and grotesque figures.

Aeryn pushed herself up on her elbows, wincing at the dull ache in her body. She was lying on a cold stone slab, her wrists and ankles bound by iron chains that clinked softly as she moved. Panic surged through her, her heart racing as she tugged at the restraints, but they didn’t budge.

She was trapped.

Her breath quickened, fear taking hold as she struggled against the chains. She had no idea where she was or how she had ended up here. All she remembered was the dark figure, the masked man who had appeared in her room.

A soft rustling sound caught her attention, and Aeryn’s head snapped toward the source. From the shadows emerged the figure once again—the same man with the mask, though now, his presence seemed even more ominous, his tall frame looming over her like a specter.

“You’re awake,” the masked man said, his voice smooth and dark as he stepped closer to her.

Aeryn’s heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing with questions and fear. “Who are you?” she demanded, her voice trembling. “What do you want with me?”

The man didn’t answer right away. Instead, he reached up and removed the mask from his face, revealing sharp, angular features, his eyes gleaming with a predatory intensity that sent a chill down her spine.

“I am Jack,” he said simply, his voice carrying an unsettling calm. “And you, Aeryn, are in my castle now.”

She recoiled at his words, her eyes widening in fear. “Why have you brought me here? What do you want?”

Jack smirked, a dangerous gleam in his eyes as he circled her, his gaze never leaving her face. “You are far more valuable than you know, Aeryn. You are the key to my plans, and I couldn’t let Alex keep you for himself. His kingdom believes they have control over you, but they are wrong. You belong to me now.”

Aeryn’s stomach twisted with dread, her mind reeling at his words. She yanked at the chains, her wrists straining against the iron, but it was no use. She was completely at his mercy.

“I don’t belong to anyone!” she spat, her voice filled with defiance despite the fear curling in her chest. “You won’t get away with this.”

Jack chuckled darkly, his hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair away from her face. “Oh, but I already have, little one.”

His touch sent a wave of revulsion through her, and she jerked her head away, glaring up at him. “Alex will come for me,” she said, her voice shaking slightly despite her attempts to sound strong.

Jack’s smirk widened, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “Let him come. It will only make this more entertaining.”

He leaned in closer, his breath warm against her cheek as he whispered, “But don’t worry, Aeryn. You’ll be treated well here. After all, you’re far too precious to waste.”

With that, he stepped back, leaving Aeryn trembling on the cold stone slab. She watched in horror as he moved toward the door, his dark figure disappearing into the shadows.

As the heavy door closed behind him with a loud *thud*, Aeryn was left alone in the cold, dark room, her mind racing with fear and uncertainty. She had to find a way out. She couldn’t let Jack’s plans unfold, whatever they were. But as she looked around the room, chained and helpless, the reality of her situation weighed down on her like a crushing force.

She was trapped, and for the first time since her arrival in this strange world, she truly felt powerless.